Humfrey had been much disappointed, when, instead of joining the hunt, Sir Amias Paulett bade him undertake the instruction of half a dozen extremely awkward peasants, who had been called in to increase the guard, but who did not know how to shoulder, load, or fire an arquebus, had no command of their own limbs, and, if put to stand sentry, would quite innocently loll in the nearest corner, and go to sleep.  However, he reflected that if he were resident in the same house as Cicely he could not expect opportunities to be daily made for their meeting, and he addressed himself with all his might to the endeavour to teach his awkward squad to stand upright for five minutes together.  Sturdy fellows as they were, he had not been able to hinder them from lopping over in all directions, when horses were heard approaching.  Every man of them, regardless of discipline, lumbered off to stare, and Humfrey, after shouting at them in vain, and wishing he had them all on board ship, gave up the endeavour to recall them, and followed their example, repairing to the hall-door, when he found Sir Amias Paulett dismounting, together with a clerkly-looking personage, attended by Will Cavendish.  Mary Seaton was being assisted from her horse, evidently in great grief; and others of the personal attendants of Mary were there, but neither herself, Cicely, nor the Secretaries.

Before he had time to ask questions, his old companion came up to him.  “You here still, Humfrey?  Well.  You have come in for the outburst of the train you scented out when you were with us in London, though I could not then speak explicitly.”

“What mean you?  Where is Cicely?  Where is the Queen of Scots?” asked Humfrey anxiously.

Sir Amias Paulett heard him, and replied, “Your sister is safe, Master Talbot, and with the Queen of Scots at Tixall Castle.  We permitted her attendance, as being young, simple, and loyal; she is less like to serve for plots than her elders in that lady’s service.”

Sir Annas strode on, conducting with him his guest, whom Cavendish explained to be Mr. Wade, sworn by her Majesty’s Council to take possession of Queen Mary’s effects, and there make search for evidence of the conspiracy.  Cavendish followed, and Humfrey took leave to do the same.

The doors of the Queen’s apartment were opened at the summons of Sir Amias Paulett, and Sir Andrew Melville, Mistress Kennedy, Marie de Courcelles, and the rest, stood anxiously demanding what was become of their Queen.  They were briefly and harshly told that her foul and abominable plots and conspiracies against the life of the Queen, and the peace of the Kingdom, had been brought to light, and that she was under secure ward.

Jean Kennedy demanded to be taken to her at once, but Paulett replied, “That must not be, madam.  We have strict commands to keep her secluded from all.”

Marie de Courcelles screamed aloud and wrung her hands, crying, “If ye have slain her, only tell us quickly!” Sir Andrew Melville gravely protested against such a barbarous insult to a Queen of Scotland and France, and was answered, “No queen, sir, but a State criminal, as we shall presently show.”